Change the language

I read some of Lakoff's work. It is impressive how he figured out how liberals and conservatives think. And use language. Neocons have many think tanks to create catch phrases, hire writers to write books that support their views, release press releases that make liberals look bad, and so on. They have been doing this for 30 years.

Now, we can turn the tables. Many here like to use the word "worker". Check the CAFTA threads and it's always workers. I'd recommend we change that to employees. What is the difference? Perception.

By using worker, what do people think of? Construction workers, truckers, union members, blue collars, factories, and communism for others (proletarian is the working class). That is how conservatives link liberals to communism: near constant talk of the working class. Which also alienates moderate and conservative middle class people as well. Which sounds more enbracing: CAFTA is bad for American workers or CAFTA is bad for American employees?

Since conservatives hate communism, we can make Republicans defend bankruptcy bail-outs for corporations aka corporate communism. See, when a government gives away money to a corporation to pay it's bills and debts while it doesn't provide anything in exchange, it's communism. Most people aren't familiar with communism to know what it really is so we can use that association with hate to put Republicans on the defense.

Just try it next time against a freeper and see how it does.

"sleight of mouth" The Magic of Conversational Belief Change by Robert Dilts. Great for when those conservative friends of yours start spouting Hannity speak.

"when a government gives away money to a corporation to pay it's bills and debts while it doesn't provide anything in exchange, it's communism"

If I can be more specific:

"when a government gives away the taxpayers' money to a corporation who's CEO has contributed to its officials' electoral campaigns, to pay it's bills and debts while it doesn't provide anything in exchange to the taxpayers, it's communism"

I agree: employee is more au gout du jour. ;)

Recommended.

For clearing that up. Either works but we're looking for a flexible phrase so we don't repeat ourselves like Republicans.

only elaborate if the first punches don't seem to convince entirely (just a suggestion).

Also, can you post your excellent OP at the Activist Headquarters?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=106

Just another suggestion because I find it to be very good. Thanks.

changing "neo-cons" for "Conservatives" (like they do for us "Liberals"), and I also thought it was a good one.

I didn't have too much time on my hands then to suggest posting it there also. I'll do a search for it first thing in the morning when I'll log back in.

Wish yours will be nominated more so it gets to the Greatest column too.

the word "worker" is limiting.

Which would you rather be thought of? Try saying these to yourself and see if it feels different.

1) I am a good worker


2) I am a good employee


and...for extra credit try this one...


3) I am a good person

Even better.

The more we change our language and the sooner, the more conservatives will be taken back in 2006. :smoke:

That's the catch phrase that will be needed to defeat Edith Jones, when Rehnquist and/or Stevens drop dead.

Executives are workers, too, they are employed and enjoy compensation, so does it differentiate between workers and investors?

People who do not lift a finger to make a living vs workers? Who originally decided upon the term?

:think:

Usury provides for such parasitical activities, and such activities can destroy the host.

As more and more of our money finds its way into fewer and fewer hands, more and more people are making a living by doing absolutely nothing. That is an unsustainable system, if ever there was one.

People should have tuned into this more than they did when the republicans decided that inheritance taxes were death taxes. But we allowed them to change the tables there, and it will further their plutocratic goals.

Maybe we should just change the name of the office and get it over with. Let's just call the President our God Father... Or better yet...'Don'